pesda-slate

Hello

Is the property going to remain a cow shed or is it becoming a living space?

If it remains a cow shed then there is no problem in replicating what you already have, that is opening up the 'perps' of the slate to allow extra ventilation. However this system may well allow wind blown rain or snow to pentrate into the roof space under certain conditions, but being a cow shed, that wouldn't really matter if it wasn't too often.

Open slating wouldn't be recommended on a pitched roof above a living space for the reasons above. Open slating loses 'side-lap'. Having the correct minimum side-lap in slating is an essential part of keeping the roof weathertight, as a rule of thumb the minimum side lap should be about half the gauge or margin (a bit less for steeper roofs and a bit more for shallower roofs).A

It would be possible to achieve a weathertight roof with open slating, provided the roof has a decent pitch, but you would need to increase the headlap significantly and use much wider slates than you would have seen on the original, making it look all wrong.

Hope this helps

Jon

Hello,

I am able to advise on pitched roofing problems expecially involving natural slate and lead.

I have been working with slate & lead roofs for over 25 years as a slater, leadworker, contractor, merchant and consultant.

I have a long list of credentials, and strive to offer 'Plain English' advice.